Over 11 billion naira has been traced to the bank accounts of an alleged member of the rumored plot to oust the President Bola Tinubu administration.
According to a report by Sunday PUNCH, the discovery has strengthened suspicions about the officer’s connection to the conspiracy.
The colonel, who previously served under a brigadier general now also under investigation, reportedly told interrogators that the funds belonged to a former governor he described as his “business partner”.
He had claimed that the money was meant for a legitimate transaction, saying the funds were for a “business deal” unrelated to the military.
The investigation, which began after intelligence reports in August 2024 suggested plans to overthrow the government, led the Defence Intelligence Agency to monitor communications, financial movements, and foreign meetings in the UK and Turkey.
Security operatives said the suspects had fixed June 12 and October 1 as possible strike dates, prompting adjustments in President Bola Tinubu’s movements and the cancellation of this year’s Independence Day celebration.
“The coup plotters have been under the radar since August 2024, when the service got wind of the plot. They mapped out three different times to strike,” a senior security source said.
Last week’s dismissal of all service chiefs was reportedly linked to the handling of the probe.
Sources said the removal of former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, followed the Defence Headquarters’ public confirmation of 16 officers’ arrests, a move described internally as a “management error” that risked misinterpretation by the international community.
Although the Defence Headquarters has publicly denied any coup attempt, ongoing intelligence operations suggest continued surveillance and internal restructuring.
In a related move, the Nigerian Air Force announced a reshuffle of senior officers to strengthen coordination and readiness under new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.
